Kuwait-based real estate developer National Real Estate Company (NREC) has appointed Stuart Ingram as director of development for its $1 billion Reem Mall project in Abu Dhabi.

A Chartered Civil Engineer, Ingram has more than 20 years of experience in international real estate development projects and has won five international construction awards. Ingram has specialised knowledge of the Middle East retail and property industry, having previously worked on major regional projects including Dubai’s Mall of the Emirates, Ski Dubai and The Wave, Muscat.

“Stuart has managed prestigious multi-million dollar construction developments in the UK and the Middle East and is a fantastic addition to our team. Stuart has a pedigree of proven project delivery, and his focus absolutely will be the timely delivery of this mall,” says Shane Eldstrom, NREC’s vice president – development.

“I’m excited to be joining NREC and managing the delivery of this project. The mall will be of a world-class standard, perfectly located in the new heart of Abu Dhabi. The retail and tourism industries are rapidly growing in the UAE capital and a retail centre of this calibre will be arriving at just the right time for the city,” says Ingram.

Construction of the Reem Mall is scheduled to begin at the start of 2015, and the mall is expected to be open in 2018. The tenant mix will include around 450 stores, 85 restaurants, and a range of entertainment features across three floors.